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UVB 308‐nm excimer light and bath PUVA: combination therapy is very effective in the treatment of prurigo nodularis
Author(s) -
Hammes S.,
Hermann J.,
Roos S.,
Ockenfels H.M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03865.x
Subject(s) - prurigo nodularis , medicine , dermatology , psoralen , puva therapy , excimer , itching , psoriasis , dna , genetics , quantum mechanics , fluorescence , biology , physics
Background Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with nodular itching lesions. UV therapy – both PUVA and NUVB – are known to clear up PN temporarily due to the antipruritic effect of UV light. However, relapse after treatment is common in PN, which means that either long‐term therapy is necessary or the treatment protocols have to be optimized to minimize side‐effects. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect that combining bath PUVA and targeted UVB 308 nm excimer radiation has on recalcitrant nodular prurigo. Methods In a prospective trial, 22 patients with PN were treated with either PUVA alone or with a combination of PUVA and excimer UVB. The end point was complete or almost complete remission of PN. Results Adding a 308‐nm excimer UVB to the treatment of the pruritic nodules sped up the healing process; 30% less PUVA radiation was needed. Conclusion The combination of PUVA and excimer UVB in PN appears to be very efficacious. Reducing psoralen UVA doses by 30% offered long‐term benefits in phototherapy of chronic recalcitrant diseases like PN.